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Handspring Treo ships; but mmO2 leaves the marketing to others

Finally, two months after Cellnet operator mmO2 said it would be selling both Blackberry and Handspring pocket computer-phones in Europe, Handspring has joined RIM in the real world by shipping live products - but there's no word of this from Cellnet so far.

The two devices are startlingly similar in appearance; and their similarity extends further, in that both RIM and Handspring sell devices in America which look like the European products, but aren't the same. They're both pocket PDAs with wireless capability, and both have tiny keyboards for data input.

The main difference is that to use a Blackberry, you need a corporate server as well as a cellphone service provider; while the Treo is aimed more at the individual user with just a PC and a mobile contract needed.

"We are pleased to have established great network operator relationships and delivered Treo to Europe, Asia and the US in this timeframe," said Ed Colligan, COO for Handspring. "We knew that to make a difference in the mobile-savvy European markets we needed to create a better experience for making calls and using applications like SMS. Treo delivers on that and more, it also provides easy integration with your personal information, a full web browsing experience and access to over 11,000 Palm OS applications."

Via Handspring's relationship with mm02, customers in the UK can now purchase the English version of Treo for £299, subject to connection to BT Cellnet. Treo will be available through selected BT Cellnet stores including DX and MPS; selected Carphone Warehouse, Dixons and The Link stores as well as from the BT Cellnet and Handspring websites.

Cellnet announced its links as a reseller of both Handspring and RIM products back in January, with suitable fanfare; but seems to be leaving the promotion of these devices up to distributors; there's been no follow-up announcement of availability.

Without the Cellnet link, the Treo price jumps to £499 -a standard level of hardware sponsorship from a mobile phone network provider. Both these prices are including VAT. Outside the UK, there isn't any Cellnet-sponsored rate, and the little PDA sells for €699, with VAT extra.